A NEIGHBOUR of Rumah Bonda founder Siti Bainun Ahd Razali told the Sessions Court today that a former friend of the accused burst into tears when she saw the teenage girl with Down syndrome known as Bella.

Nor Aidil Farhab Johaizad, 26, said she was moved by the sight of Zurianty Sudin crying while holding a mobile phone and taking photos (of Bella) while standing outside Siti Bainun’s residence on June 24, 2021.

 “Kak Zu (Zurianty) and I went to the condominium by car after Kak Zu herself informed that Siti Bainun had given permission to go to the house. 

“Before we went, Zurianty bought chips, bread, and drinks for the occupants of Rumah Bonda. Zurianty had an access card to Siti Bainun’s house because she was tasked to send Siti Bainun’s children to school.

The fourth defence witness said this during the examination-in-chief by lawyer Mohammad Farhan Maaruf at the defence trial of Siti Bainun, who is charged with neglecting and abusing Bella.

“She cried hysterically at the door when she saw Bella. Less than 10 minutes later, Zurianty was giving the children in Siti Bainun’s care food she had bought and told me to go back first; Zurianty wanted to take Bella to the hospital,” she said.

The witness said she often helped Siti Bainun deliver goods to the condominium and took Mariam, one of the children under the care of the accused, to school.

Earlier, the third defence witness, Noor Marliana Ramlee, 28, had testified that she never saw Bella being tortured with chilli or doused with hot water as such incidents never took place. 

Noor Marliana, who is also a former resident of the welfare home, denied fabricating her testimony and being indebted to Siti Bainun, saying she had never received luxury items such as a Honda Jazz, jewellery, and branded mobile phones from the accused.

She admitted, however, that she had a close relationship with the accused.

Siti Bainun, 30, faces two counts of neglecting and abusing a 13-year-old Down syndrome girl, causing her to suffer physical and emotional injuries.

She is charged with committing the offences at a condominium in Wangsa Maju between February and June 2021. The charge is framed under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001 and carries a maximum sentence of 20 years imprisonment or a fine of RM50,000, or both, if convicted.

The trial before Judge Izralizam Sanusi continues tomorrow. – Bernama, March 8, 2023.